Vicodin

[sallie]

I have been taking Vicodin for 7 months following a boating accident which occured on 7/3. In the accident I was flipped up in the air about 14" and came down on the fiberglass deck of the boat directly on the small of my back/tailbone area. Xrays showed no fracture of tailbone. AFter several months of treatment by an orthopod and PT, we finally did an MRI which reflected a herniated disc, 2 bulging discs and a lot of fluid at the base of the spine where the pain exists.  I take the Vicodin about 1x per day, especially when I am at work as I have to sit most of the time for my job.  On the weekends, when I am up and moving around, the pain is bearable and I find I do not take the drug. My question is how long can I do this. I realize I am not overdosing on Vicodin, but I also don't want to be dependent on it.  The pain is still very much there and the Dr. said it could take 8 months to a year to finally subside. Any suggestions. Ice feels great and helps but there is still that edge of pain which bothers me while sitting.  Thanks

[Donna]

what is the difference between hydrocodone and codine

[Brent]

what is the pain killer in vicoden

[brian]

Vicodin contains 5mg hydrocodone.  Hydrocodone is a synthetic opiate which is stronger than codeine, although in the same DEA schedule (schedule III).

[donald]

My wife is currently taking vicondin for her neck. She had a M.R.I done on her but they did not find anything wrong. Her doctor percribes 80 500mg tablets to her a month. I believe she is addicted to the because she take about 4 or 5 a day. Then to get to sleep she takes Temazepam 30mg. I don't know the sideaffecs of they drugs could you tell me and give me some advice as to what to do? I tried to stop her from taking the pills but we got into a big fight and she took ours son's and left. What do you think?

[brian]

I'll leave it to the medical people to answer your questions re side effects; however, your wife must be taking 5mg not 500mg pills of Vicodin (the maximum formulation of hydrocodone which is the opiate in Vicodin is 10mg per pill).  To determine if your wife is truly addicted, one needs to know how long she has been using at the current rate and whether she can go a few days without using the pills and without exeriencing withdrawal symptoms.  It sounds like from her behavior she is addicted (getting into a fight over her pill use); although, if she has true pain she may need the medication.  Don't you think you should determine if in fact she is addicted (and by the way, is she using them as prescribed or taking more than prescribed?) before asking her to stop taking the pills?

[jacob]

I have been taking 15-20 10 mg Lorcet for almost 2 years now each day.  What can I do to get off these?  I want to try tapering myself slowly.  Could I do this using Percocet instead?  I also need to know if Valium will help with the uncomfortableness I will experience.  Please advise!!

[Brian to Jacob]

Listen, don't use percocet to get off Lorcet.  Percocet is actually stronger (although it is 5mg of oxycodone vs. 10mg of hydrocodone with the Lorcet).  You are better off simply slowly tapering down off the Lorcet.  I've done it several times, from a high of 25 Lorcet a day.  If you are at 20 a day, if you have enough Lorcet simply go down by 1 per day (spreading it across your normal dose).  For example, if you take 5 four times a day, then the first day of the taper take 4.75 four times; the next day 4.5, and so on.  This WILL work (and in fact some drug programs use a taper method, I know because I was in one).  You can do it, but if you don't have enough Lorcet or other painkillers, you might need the faster approach.  I've done this a few times too.  If you take 20 the first day, take 10% less (2 pills) each day.  The step off the bottom is a bit harder, but nowhere near cold turkey.  By the way, all this requires MAJOR willpower, because you will not be getting high and you will want to cheat.  If you do cheat, try to get right back on the taper.  I have found if I cheat I can still get down with minimal problems.  Any more questions just post again. Good luck.  I know you can do it.  And remember, anything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger.